The Nite Beat was an early lesbian bar in Milwaukee, known for its no-nonsense atmosphere and tough crowds. Opened at 901 W. National Ave. in April 1959 by Stanley Kowalczyk and his wife Caryln (aka "Carrie,") the bar found itself cited for noise complaints and unwelcome in the neighborhood. Customers remember the NIte Beat being ruled by butch women, who were unwelcoming to femmes, strangers and newcomers. Men were never welcome at the original Nite Beat. During I-43 construction, the Nite Beat found itself in the path of a freeway off-ramp. Although the off-ramp was never built, Stan and Carrie moved to 196 S. 2nd Street in 1962.